Archives for February 2013

Here is my First Trimester in review…..10 of the main things that have helped me get through the past 13 weeks!

1. Prenatal Vitamins – Eating a healthy diet is ALWAYS a good idea, especially during pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins provide the nutrients a baby needs each day that cover the gaps you may have in your diet…..Folic Acid, Iron, and Calcium being very important! A lot of women have an issue with keeping their Prenatal Vitamins down, but I have had no issue with these! And they are a pretty reasonable size, unlike most of the horse pills you see.

2. To-Go Tumbler – They say you are supposed to drink on average, eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day while you are pregnant. Water carries nutrients to the baby, and more importantly, prevents dehydration. Having a tumbler with me at all times during the day make me drink more water and it’s super easy for traveling to work/rehearsals/home.

3. The Bump Pregnancy Buzz App – This pregnancy app has been GREAT to have especially during the first trimester, when your body starts changing and every little pinch, stretch, and pain is followed with a trip to WebMD.com. Here, real women post questions and answers to help with the 9 months of pregnancy, a lot of the times, answering the small little questions you carry in the back of your mind or questions you may have in the future!

3. Sea Salt Caramel Truffle Ice Cream – Like I said, this sweet tooth just came out of nowhere! This is my go-to choice whenever I get the hankering for something sweet!

5. Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion – You can never start too early when preparing for your stomach to stretch 5 times it’s size! And especially being so dry and cold lately, this has helped with keeping my skin moisturized and not too dry.

6. Sleep – Like I said, I have been EXHAUSTED. Sleep has been my best friend!

7. Oikos Greek Yogurt – This is my choice for breakfast every morning! My favorite is the strawberry fruit at the bottom. Great sources of protein and calcium and keeps me going for at least 2-3 hours until lunch! Not to mention, something I could always count on to NOT make me sick.

8. Fruit – Apples, Bananas, and Cuties (clementines) have been my go-to snacks. Super healthy and easy to grab and go when I’m going 100mph and don’t have a second to make something.

9. Decaf Green Tea – Because I can’t have coffee (or at least caffeinated), I have switched over to this green tea, which is great whenever I get home from rehearsal or work and just need something to warm me up!

10. Orange Juice – I have a glass of this every morning before work to take my prenatal vitamins with. Gives me a nice kick-start to my day and gives me a bit of extra nutrients as a plus!

Monday I just couldn’t kick this stomach ache I had been having ever since lunch time. By Monday night, It hurt to cough, sneeze, bend over, walk, breathe……horrible pain. (At this point, I didn’t know what the hell it was…..something with the baby? really bad constipation?) About 3:00 in the morning on Tuesday, I woke up and called my doctor to see if they’d be able to see me in the morning. After going through all of my symptoms and ruling out all of the other possibilities, I realized that what I probably had was a bladder infection. Drew, being the awesome husband as he is, drove to the store and grabbed me a big bottle of cranberry juice (the REAL stuff) and tylenol. If you’ve never had REAL cranberry juice before, and I’m not talking Ocean Spray or the cocktail, you are in for a real treat! ICK! It’s like sucking on 20 bitter lemons! In the morning, I was able to see my doctor, listened to the heart beat (sounds GREAT!), and got a few tests done before they sent me off with some antibiotics. This pregnancy thing is not for wimps!

How far along? 13 WeeksTotal weight gain/loss: +0, lost a pound so I am back to my original weightMaternity clothes? Nope….not yet! Still squeezing into the clothes I have before I have to buy new ones!Stretch marks? Not one! Bought this really great Palmer’s Cocoa Butter that smells good enough to eat! (Don’t worry….I did not try to eat it) But it sure smells tasty!Sleep: Still getting plenty of sleep (or at least trying to). With all of these award shows on Sunday nights, my Monday mornings are kind of rough.Best moment this week: Making it to the 2nd trimester! Now lets see if I get a bit more energy and these nausea kicks go away!Have you told family and friends: The beans have been spilled!Miss Anything? All my favorite drinks are off limits! Beer, wine, COFFEE!Movement: Not yetFood cravings: Mexican food. Being pregnant has kicked my mexican food addiction into high gear! It’s all I ever want to eat!Anything making you queasy or sick: No foods lately! Maybe we’ve seen the end!Have you started to show yet: Little round bump!Gender prediction: GirlLabor Signs: Nope.Belly Button in or out? InWedding rings on or off? OnHappy or Moody most of the time: With this Bladder Infection, it’s been hard not to be miserable. BUT, a few more days of these antibiotics and I should be as good as new!Weekly Wisdom: Take care of yourself and don’t overdo. It is okay to take it easy….you are growing a human being!!!Looking forward to: Getting a belly! And not looking like I ate a big cheeseburger!

How far along? 12 WeeksTotal weight gain/loss: +1Maternity clothes? Baby bump is here! Slowly but surely, it is growing….may not be noticeable to most, but I can definitely tell a difference. No maternity clothes yet, but things are getting a bit TIGHT!Stretch marks? Nope! I keep lathering up each morning to make sure I prepare for the sudden growth spurt!Sleep: Tired Tired Tired. All of the time. I sleep pretty good for the most part and have started the routine of getting up around 4:00 to pee. I guess that’s my body’s way of preparing me for little nugget!Best moment this week: Monday morning was our 12 week appointment! They took my vitals, only having gained a pound since the last visit at 8 weeks. We got to listen to the little nugget’s heartbeat…..160 bpm! Happy, healthy little heart.Have you told family and friends: Close family and friends! Plan on making the big announcement in the next few days.Miss Anything? Coffee…..being so tired lately, I would normally make a pot of coffee, but because of the amount of caffeine, I just gave it up completely.Movement: Not yetFood cravings: Where did this sweet tooth come from?! My boss just bought three boxes of girl scout cookies for everyone in the office, which is not helping either. My FAVORITE go-to sweet lately has been Private Selection Salted Caramel Truffle Ice Cream. Delish!Anything making you queasy or sick: I think my morning sickness is slowly starting to fade. Occasionally I get a little nauseous in the evenings before bed, but for the most part, my mornings have been MUCH better!Have you started to show yet: Little round bump 🙂Gender prediction: Still a girl feeling. There is an old wives tale that says slower heartbeat = boy and faster = girl…..though that is totally bogus, we shall see!Labor Signs: Nope.Belly Button in or out? InWedding rings on or off? OnHappy or Moody most of the time: Happy and Tired. So much stuff my head is trying to wrap around!Weekly Wisdom: When you have the time to relax….relax. If someone wants to help you with something, let them. Enjoy every minute and try not to overdo.Looking forward to: Making the big announcement. It will be nice for everything to be out in the open and to not keep everything so hush hush. Glad to know we are past the 12 week hump, baby is healthy, and now I can really start enjoying the next 6 months!

How far along? 11 WeeksTotal weight gain/loss: +0Maternity clothes? Not quite yet…..skinny jeans are getting a bit tight around the waste. May need to invest in a belly band pretty soon!Stretch marks? Nope!Sleep: Still constantly tired. I have a good 2 hour window in the morning when I am pretty awake, but otherwise, just plain tired. Attempting to get at least 8 hours a night.Best moment this week: Wednesday night dinner with Drew! Ipp’s Pastaria in downtown Woodstock. Best garlic rolls I’ve ever had! YUM!Have you told family and friends: Close family and friends! 12 week appointment in just a few days!Miss Anything? Margaritas!Movement: Not yetFood cravings: On the Border Southwestern Tacos, Jimmy Johns sub, and I’ve gotten a sweet tooth! Watch out!Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing in particular. Sometimes I get a loss of appetite and the thought of eating in general makes me queasy.Have you started to show yet: Nothing noticeable. A little bulge in the front, but looks like I just ate a really large meal.Gender prediction: Still a girl feeling.Labor Signs: No thanks!Belly Button in or out? InWedding rings on or off? OnHappy or Moody most of the time: Happy! I have an occasional day where I just feel like bum, and don’t want to do ANYTHING.Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy the time you have together with your significant other. This is the last few months it will ever be just the two of you.Looking forward to: 12 week appointment and seeing Mom and Dad this weekend in Nashville! Mom is coming back to Atlanta with Drew and I for a week to hang out through the weekend, so we should have some fun stuff to do this next week!

How far along? 10 WeeksTotal weight gain/loss: -1Maternity clothes? I just went up a FULL bra size! Like my boobs weren’t big enough BEFORE I got pregnant! Sheesh! Went on over to target and finally made the big switcheroo.Stretch marks? NoSleep: Always takes a bit for me to get going in the morning. I set my alarm about 45 minutes before I actually HAVE to get up, so the snoozing helps me a bit! As long as I’m in bed by 10:00, I am good to go!Best moment this week: Spending time with Drew. It is a very rare occasion to come home and relax. This week, I got two full night of Drew all to myself!Have you told family and friends: Only a few close friends and family. Waiting for the big 12 week appointment before we spill the beans to everyone!Miss Anything? Beer, wine and sushi!Movement: Not yetFood cravings: Well besides the regular Mexican food cravings, I really really have been craving a Jimmy Johns sub with avocado spread and salt n’ vinegar chips! Yummo!Anything making you queasy or sick: Chili. I don’t know what it is. It is not the beans. Not the meat. Not the sauce. But the smell and taste of chili itself makes my stomach turn.Have you started to show yet: Don’t think so. Just feel bloated through the middle.Gender prediction: We both have a girl feeling!Labor Signs: Uhm no.Belly Button in or out? InnyWedding rings on or off? OnHappy or Moody most of the time: Happy for the most part! I’ll have my occasional break down.Weekly Wisdom: Take time to breath and don’t stress! It is what it is.Looking forward to: 12 week appointment on the 18th and to see the growing nugget! I think I will feel more at ease to be over the 12 week hump!